Information on Northern Ireland
The province of Northern Ireland was established on 3 May 1921 under the Government of Ireland Act 1920. Made up of 6 counties out of the 9 counties in old Ulster the state became a subdivision of the UK, the remaining 3 counties of Ulster joined the Republic of Ireland.
The 6 counties of Northern Ireland include: Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone.
Northern Ireland Facts
- Capital city: Belfast
Recognised languages: English (de facto), Irish and Ulster Scots
Population: 1,741,600 (2006 estimate)
Currency: Pound sterling (UK)
Time zone: GMT - Police force: Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- Nationality: British or Irish
Political Parties in Northern Ireland
The main political parties in Northern Ireland politics today are:
- Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
Democratic Unionist Party
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition
Progressive Unionist Party
Sinn Fein
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Ulster Democratic Party
Ulster Unionist Party
The Workers' Party
The History of Northern Ireland
The 6 counties that make up Northern Ireland has a very diverse history, dating well before the establishment of Northern Ireland. Events such as the Ulster Plantations and the Williamite war would go on to influence Northern Irelands future for years to follow.
The community of Northern Ireland has always been divided in political opinions, religious views and nationality. Unfortunately these divides would fuel years of conflict and political violence. It goes beyond the differences between being Protestant or Catholic and even Irish or British.
The best way to describe the difference in beliefs and opinions is by categorising people in people in Northern Ireland are:
- Unionists - As protestants their goal was to have Northern Ireland remain part of the British kingdom through a democratic process. They are recognised as being British
- Loyalists - Protestant extremists who formed to protect the protestant community and for Northern Ireland to remain British. They are also recognised as being British
- Nationalist - As catholics the majority believed in a United Ireland but by using democratic means. The majority are recognised as being Irish
- Republican - Also as Catholics they believe in a United Ireland but are split in opinion in using a democratic process or by use of force. The majority have decided on following the democratic process
We would be wrong to suggest that everyone in Northern Ireland falls into at least one of the above categories but when discussing the history of Northern Ireland it helps to remember them.
When the six counties of the North was partitioned from the rest of Ireland in 1921 the Catholics in Ulster disagreed with the decision. They seen themselves as Irish but also feared the Northern Ireland government being ruled by Ulster Unionists (Protestants) in alliance with the British Conservative party and that they would be treated as second-class citizens, which did occur.
Some Protestant Unionists also strongly opposed the partition, such as Edward Carson, believed it was a betrayal of unionists all over Ireland, as they did not want to Britain to give the Irish any ideas of a British withdrawal from Ireland at all.
Irish Republicans continued their campaign for British width drawl from the whole of Ireland and spiraled into a conflict. As civil rights became an issue in Northern Ireland and more armed vigilante groups were started by both protestants & conflicts violence erupted all over Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland conflict became known as the troubles that lasted over 30 years.
Northern Ireland Today - A Change For The Better
Its horrible to see that Northern Ireland is better known for its horrible past and its people have experienced one of the dirtiest conflicts in Europe. Today though the country has vastly changed and politicians are at least trying their best to bring lasting people for both communities. The Irish Republican Army (IRA) have decomminsed their weapons and are no longer active, British Troops have with drawn from Northern Ireland and the old police force was reformed. More importantly, Unionists politicians are now working with Republican politicians to better serve the people of Northern Ireland and create an ever lasting peace for the population.
After 30 years of conflict its not easy creating an ever last peace. For generations to come there will still remain opinions based on the history but hopefully we can all learn from our past and not to make the same mistakes again.
